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Muhammad Ali is reported to be in grave condition

Former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali enters the ring before his daughter, Laila, fought Asa Sandel on Dec. 17, 2005, in Berlin. On Friday he was said to be in grave condition in a Phoenix hospital.

Former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali enters the ring before his daughter, Laila, fought Asa Sandel on Dec. 17, 2005, in Berlin. On Friday he was said to be in grave condition in a Phoenix hospital.

(Jan Woitas / EPA)
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Muhammad Ali’s family is at his bedside in a Phoenix hospital and two sources close to the legendary former heavyweight champion told the Los Angeles Times that the situation is “very grave.”

Ali, who’s suffered from Parkinson’s disease for more than 20 years, was hospitalized Thursday with a respiratory illness. He reportedly was placed on life support Friday.

The boxing officials close to Ali and in contact with his family spoke on condition of anonymity out of respect to the three-time heavyweight champion and sports icon.

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One of the officials said Ali’s condition has deteriorated to the point that an individual close to the situation has said “it could be hours” before his passing.

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